It's funny what is remembered and what is forgotten over the course of time. Anthony and I were in the same ward as kids, after the 10th ward merged. He and Timmothy went on scouting trips together, and I loved to hear the stories about "D'Andrea" regardless of if it was about the leader or the scout that the story was about.

His mom was called to be a Laurel's leader while I was in the Laurels. I remember going to his home for a Laurels activity (girls night!) and we didn't finish before Jeff (my future father in law) and Anthony came home from scouts. I clearly remember him telling me all about his Katanas (Japanese swords) and the process of making a wooden holder for them so that he could hang them on the wall. I was intregued by this conversation, and then I learned he was going on a mission. We talked a little longer, and I remember being disappointed that he was going to leave (it meant I couldn't try and get him to ask me on a date). Soon it was time to leave, I went home, and didn't think much more about it. Other then that it was a shame that he was not available.

I told him about this shortly after getting engaged... He doesn't remember a thing!! :P

Jeff and Leslie D'Andrea,

the best in laws I could ask for!!

Engaged!

On July 31, 2012, Anthony, the man of my dreams, asked me to be his wife. It was my birthday. We floated on a section of the Boise River in the early afternoon. When we got back it was about 5:00. Anthony started cooking. Mostly I just kept out of his way- he’s better in the kitchen than me. We ate a wonderful dinner, of ribs, asparagus, watermelon, and macaroni and cheese. When we finished, I started to clean up the dishes, and Anthony stopped me- we had to eat dessert first! He had me sit down, and went into a corner cupboard. He brought out a blue and white bowl. Anthony opened it up, and the lid slipped into the bowl. He looked up nervously and said “I think I may have messed it up a little.” All the while, I’m just wondering what kind of chocolate desert goes in the cupboard instead of in the fridge. There was no rattle, so it can’t be M&Ms, and pudding has to go into the fridge. It can’t be anything soft, because then it would have been on the lid. He walked up to me, said my name, and then took the lid off the bowl. Inside the bowl is a beautiful red box with a ring in it. It took me a minute to register what was going on. When I looked again, Anthony was on one knee, and his words were very simple and concise- just “will you marry me?” And of course I said yes- when I remembered how to speak!